Stp115 Wuppertal, along with its near neighbours, Wn118 Krefeld, Wn117 Ludenscheid, and Wn116 Barmen, are located in the high sand dune system to the north of the town of Wissant.
Access to all four of the sites is now strongly discouraged in order to protect the delicate sand dune ecosystems and natural sea defences that have been created – if you’re visiting then please show respect.
Wuppertal runs along the edge of the dune line in front of the beach and was a site which evolved in the brief period it was operational from mid-1943 to September 1944 when it was abandoned by the occupying German forces.
This Kriegsmarine site once featured four 15cm naval guns in large, concrete open emplacements on top of the dunes and a R612 casemate which offered artillery gun coverage along the long sandy beach in front of the large guns.
Supporting the guns were seven ammunition storage bunkers, five personnel shelters, and an observation post.
Testament to the build quality, the two-room ammunition bunkers are still accessible and in good condition, although the open emplacements where the guns once stood are largely overgrown.
The R612 on the beach is accessible and you can see the damage inside caused by exploding leftover ammunition following the site’s capture.
The trio of buildings at the south west of the site - the concrete observation post, brick and concrete shelter/office building, and Wellblech shelter are accessible too with the connected shelter and obs in good condition. The Wellblech has suffered from internal damage, but the outer structure is still solid.
The view from the observation post, or Beobachter, is now of the backs of the high beachfront dunes but 80 years ago there would have been a clear view out to sea and from here you can see the southern coast of England across the Channel.